Lok Sabha election 2024 updates | Highlights on June 1, 2024

Demanding a road connectivity to their villages, the residents of villages of Makhan, Chachul and Juri in Churah subdivision of Himachal Pradesh’s Chamba district boycotted the Lok Sabha elections on Saturday.

The residents of the twin remote villages of Makhan and Chachul falling under Sanval gram panchayat and Juri in Charda Gram panchayat said that they would not vote until the district administration listens to their grievances.

“We will not vote until the district administration comes here and listens to our grievances,” said Ravi, a local.

The villagers also alleged that although the administration was apprised of the issues, nothing has changed.

“We are still waiting for internet connectivity, road and electricity and the situation is so pathetic that if someone falls ill, we have to carry the patients on foot for 4-5 km to reach the health centre and several people have died as they could not get treatment on time,” Mukesh Kumar, a resident of Makhan village, told PTI over the phone.

-PTI

A voter turnout of 58.34 per cent was recorded till 5 pm on Saturday in the seventh and final phase of the Lok Sabha polls with incidents of violence between TMC and BJP supporters reported in Sandeshkhali region of West Bengal, and complaints of EVM glitches and rigging at some booths lodged.

The counting of votes will be taken up on June 4. In Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim, the counting for the Assembly polls will be held on June 2.

Till 5 pm, the estimated polling percentage was 58.34, according to the EC’s voter-turnout app.

A voter turnout of nearly 67.95 per cent was recorded in Jharkhand. Uttar Pradesh logged a polling percentage of 54, West Bengal 69.89, Bihar 48.86 and Himachal Pradesh 66.56.

Punjab recorded a voter turnout of 55.20 per cent till 5 pm while Chandigarh registered a voting percentage of 62.80. Odisha recorded around 62.46 per cent voting.

-PTI

Over 400 people in a village in Dumka district boycotted voting in the seventh and final phase of the Lok Sabha polls on Saturday to protest against the construction of a coal dumping yard, an official said.

A total of 426 voters did not exercise their franchise at booth number 94 in Bagdubhi village, a part of the Dumka Lok Sabha constituency, he said.

“Out of 430 voters enrolled in the booth, only four electors have exercised their franchise till 3 pm,” Dumka Circle Officer Amar Kumar told PTI.

He said the villagers have been protesting against the construction of the Railways’ coal dumping yard.

-PTI

Mallikarjun Kharge at the end of INDIA bloc meeting said, “We discussed many issues, assessed the electoral performance, what are the precautions we need to take for counting and so on.”

“We will win more than 295 seats as per the feedback that we have received,” Mr. Kharge said.

Senior leaders of the INDIA bloc met here on Saturday to discuss their strategy for the counting of votes on June 4, even as the TMC and PDP skipped the meeting.

Senior leaders of the Congress, Samajwadi Party, CPI-M, CPI, DMK, JMM, AAP, RJD, Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (Sharad Pawar) met at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence on Saturday afternoon and held discussions, even as the last phase of polling was underway.

TMC chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had already said they would not attend the meeting as there were elections in the state, while PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti did not attend the meeting due to personal reasons. 

Opposition leaders who attended the meeting included Sharad Pawar, Akhilesh Yadav, Tejashwi Yadav, Anil Desai, Sitaram Yechury, Arvind Kejriwal, Bhagwat Mann, Sanjay Singh and Raghav Chadha, Champai Soren, Kalpana Soren, T.R. Baalu, Farooq Abdullah, D. Raja and Mukesh Sahani.

Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and K.C. Venugopal were also present at the meeting. 

PTI

A voter turnout of 49.68% was recorded till 3 p.m. on Saturday in the seventh and final phase of the Lok Sabha polls, the Election Commission (EC) said. 

A voter turnout of nearly 60.14% was recorded in Jharkhand. Uttar Pradesh logged a polling percentage of 46.83, West Bengal 58.46, Bihar 42.95 and Himachal Pradesh 58.41.

Top leaders of the INDIA bloc will meet here on Saturday to discuss their strategy for the counting of votes on June 4, even as the TMC and PDP are set to skip the meeting.

Senior leaders of the Congress, CPI-M, CPI, DMK, AAP, RJD, Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (Sharad Pawar) will hold discussions at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence this afternoon.

TMC chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has already said they will not attend the meeting as there are elections in the State, while PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti is likely to skip the meeting.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his Punjab counterpart Bhagwant Mann are also likely to attend the meeting, besides senior Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and K.C. Venugopal.

DMK supremo and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said party leader T.R. Baalu will attend the meeting.

PTI

A voter turnout of 40.09% was recorded till 1 p.m. on Saturday in the seventh and final phase of the Lok Sabha polls, the Election Commission (EC) said. 

Till 1 p.m., the approximate polling percentage was 40.09%, according to the EC’s voter-turnout app. 

PTI

Here is the voting turn out till 1 p.m.:

Jharkhand: 46.80%

Himachal Pradesh: 48.63%

Uttar Pradesh: 39.31%

West Bengal: 45.07%

Bihar: 35.65%

Punjab: 37.8%

As the voting in the seventh and final phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha election began on June 1, Aam Aadmi Party chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal appealed to the voters to exercise their franchise in large numbers “to protect democracy and the Constitution.”

“In this great festival of democracy, the country will vote in the last phase today. All of you are requested to exercise your right to vote in large numbers to protect democracy and the Constitution,” Mr. Kejriwal posted on X.

“Go to vote yourself and take your neighbours along with you. Dictatorship will lose, and democracy will win,” he added.

The AAP chief has been on bail in a money laundering case linked to the Delhi government’s now-scrapped excise policy. The Supreme Court had on May 10 granted 21-day interim bail to the Chief Minister to enable him to campaign during the Lok Sabha polls. The court had directed him to surrender on June 2, a day after the last phase of the Lok Sabha election.

After getting the bail, Mr. Kejriwal campaigned across the country extensively, attacking the BJP-led Union government and accusing it of being dictatorial and wanting to crush the Opposition by misusing central investigative agencies.

Arvind Kejriwal appeals to voters to exercise franchise to end "dictatorship"

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal appealed to the voters to exercise their franchise in large numbers “to protect democracy and the Constitution.”

The final phase of polling in West Bengal on June 1 began with reports that a mob at Kultali in Jaynagar Lok Sabha seat looting election material from a poll booth and dumping it in a pond. TMC workers also protested against several BJP, CPI(M) candidates.

Shiv Sahay Singh reports.

EVM dumped in pond, bombs hurled as violence mars last day of polling in West Bengal

Lok Sabha polls 2024: According to the Chief Electoral Officer, reserve Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) and papers were thrown into a pond as a local mob looted the polling premises in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas district.

Here’s the voting turnout till 11 a.m.:

Bihar: 24.25%

Jharkhand: 29.55%

Punjab: 23.91% 

Chandigarh: 25.03%

Odisha: 22.64% 

Himachal Pradesh: 31.92%

Uttar Pradesh: 28.02% 

West Bengal: 28.10%

AAP chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal appealed to the voters to exercise their franchise in large numbers “to protect democracy and the Constitution.”

“Dictatorship will lose, democracy will win,” he wrote in a tweet in Hindi.

ANI

Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin has said that June 4 will mark the beginning of a new dawn for India. In a post on X, he said, “Our INDIA bloc, formed to defeat the ten-year fascist regime of the BJP and save India, has met the expectations of the people and stands on the cusp of victory. It has rallied a formidable coalition of democratic forces against the BJP, who thought there was nobody to challenge them. This alliance now offers hope to all Indians in the electoral arena.”

“Through relentless campaigning, the leaders of the INDIA bloc have dismantled the false image the BJP created in the public sphere. With just three days remaining until our impending victory, I urge our cadre to remain vigilant during the vote-counting process,” he added.

He added, “June 4th will mark the beginning of a new dawn for India. In today’s meeting of INDIA bloc leaders, DMK will be represented by our party Treasurer and leader of DMK’s Parliamentary Party, Thiru. T.R. Baalu. May the fascist BJP fall! May INDIA triumph!” M.K. Stalin said.

ANI

Even as several seats are still voting, punters in Andhra Pradesh are betting big on political parties and candidates.

NRIs, students, farmers, labourers, businessmen, women, doctors, techies, aqua traders, bullion traders, employees of private and government organisations and even petty vendors are reportedly placing bets, a senior police officer from the intelligence wing said.

Rajulapudi Srinivas reports.

Punters bet big on candidates and parties as exit poll is awaited in Andhra Pradesh

At a time when the election and police authorities are busy making arrangements for the smooth counting of the votes polled in the simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha and Assembly seats in Andhra Pradesh, on June 4, punters are betting big on political parties and candidates.

This election is important for the BJD, the BJP and particularly for Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. 

The BJD and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik seek to replicate its past remarkable performances in the face of a strong wave of anti-incumbency, while the BJP is seeking to capture an unconquered State despite repeated efforts in the past.

Satyasundar Barik reports.

High stakes battle in Odisha between BJP and BJD

High-stakes elections in Odisha between BJP and BJD, with Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik aiming for sixth term.

In a tweet, the CEO of West Bengal said that Reserve EVMs and papers of Sector Officer near Benimadhavpur FP school, at 129-Kultali AC of 19-Jaynagar (SC) PC was looted by local mob and 1 CU, 1 BU, 2VVPAT machines have been thrown inside a pond.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has urged people to vote in large numbers and deal a “final blow” to “this government which has become a symbol of arrogance and tyranny”.

“I am proud that even in this scorching heat, all of you have come out to vote to protect democracy and the Constitution,” the former Congress president said in a post in Hindi on X.

“Even today, come out in large numbers and give your vote as a ‘final blow’ to this government, which has become a symbol of arrogance and tyranny,” he said. The sun of June 4, when the poll results are scheduled to be announced, is going to bring a new dawn in the country, he added.

PTI

Buxar is historically known as the location of the battle of Chausa between Mughal emperor Humayun and the Afghan warlord Sher Shah Suri. In the Lok Sabha election, however, the battle of Buxar in western Bihar is being branded as ‘insider vs outsider’, with the BJP’s Mithilesh Tiwari being given the ‘outsider tag’ by the Rashtriya Janata Dal’s Sudhakar Singh and his supporters. 

Amit Bhelari reports.

In Buxar, the battle is ‘insider vs outsider’

Buxar Lok Sabha election: BJP's Tiwari faces 'outsider' tag from RJD's Singh in battle for Bihari constituency.

In Jharkhand, voting for Dumka, Rajmahal, and Godda Lok Sabha seats started today. A total of 52 candidates, including eight women, are contesting in this final phase, the State’s fourth and the seventh nationwide. All eyes are on Dumka seat where BJP’s Sita Soren, sister-in-law of jailed former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren, is contesting against INDIA bloc’s Nalin Soren. Sita, a former three-term JMM legislator, joined BJP just ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, citing ‘neglect’ and ‘isolation’ by JMM after the death of her husband Durga Soren in 2009.

In Godda, BJP sitting MP Nishikant Dubey is contesting against INDIA bloc’s Pradip Yadav. The Rajmahal seat is expected to witness an interesting fight as JMM’s Borio legislator Lobin Hembrom is contesting as an Independent against sitting JMM MP Vijay Hansdak. The BJP has fielded its former state president Tala Marandi for the seat.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP won the Dumka and Godda seats, while the JMM secured the Rajmahal seat. Of the 14 Lok Sabha seats, BJP won 11 constituencies, while AJSU Party, Congress, and JMM won one seat each in the 2019 polls.

PTI

Here’s the voting turnout till 9 a.m.: 

Himachal Pradesh four Lok Sabha constituencies: 15.50%

Himachal Pradesh six Assembly seat (by-poll): 13.05% 

Punjab: 9.64%

Jharkhand: 12.15%

Odisha: 7.69%

Bihar 10.58% 

Uttar Pradesh 12.94%

Polling commenced for six Lok Sabha constituencies and 42 assembly seats in Odisha is underway, amid tight security. 

Voting began at 7 a.m. in Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, and Jagatsinghpur Lok Sabha seats, along with the 42 Assembly segments that constitute these parliamentary constituencies. Polling will continue till 6 p.m. as there are no Maoist-hit zones under these Lok Sabha seats, the official added. 

Approximately 1 crore voters are eligible to cast their votes across 10,882 booths in the fourth and final round of simultaneous elections in the State.

Over 36,000 security personnel and 72,000 polling officials have been deployed for this round of polls. 66 candidates are contesting for the six Lok Sabha seats, while 394 contestants are competing for the 42 Assembly segments.

Several prominent leaders’ fates will be decided in this phase, including Odisha assembly Speaker Pramila Mallik, government chief whip Prashant Muduli, BJP Odisha unit president Manmohan Samal, BJP national vice-president Baijayant Panda, six Odisha ministers, and four sitting MPs.

PTI

Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi and their daughter Rohini Acharya cast their vote at a polling booth in Patna. After casting her vote, RJD leader and former Bihar CM Rabri Devi said, “We will win all the 40 seats in Bihar. INDIA alliance will come to power.” 

ANI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 1 urged people to vote in large numbers as polling for the last phase of Lok Sabha elections began. “Together, let’s make our democracy more vibrant and participative,” the prime minister said on X.

Polling is being held in 57 seats, including in all constituencies of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh besides a few in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha and Jharkhand.

Kashmir Valley chief cleric and Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who was allowed to join congregational prayers at the historic Jamia Masjid in Srinagar after four weeks, called for a realistic and humane approach to address the Kashmir problem.

“By next week, a new government will be formed in India. Again, we hope that whoever comes to power takes a realistic and humane approach to dealing with the Kashmir imbroglio. As for Hurriyat and me, the option for dialogue and deliberation to move forward is the best bet. It is the course that my colleagues and I have always advocated, even at the cost of harm to us,” the Mirwaiz, who delivered a Friday sermon at the mosque, said. ​Read the report here.​

The Congress is sure that it will put a strong performance in several States in this election. Addressing a press conference along with Pawan Khera and Supriya Shrinate on Friday, Congress general secretary (communication) Jairam Ramesh said, “I am saying with some sense of self-confidence that the mandate will be clear and decisive in favour of INDIA bloc. I won’t give a number, but I can say NDA constituents will be queueing up join the INDIA bloc.” Read the report here.

For the last 28 years, the Nalanda Lok Sabha constituency has been a stronghold of the Janata Dal-United (JD-U) but this time, much is at stake for Mr. Kumar as his party’s candidate, three-time (2009, 2014 and 2019) sitting MP Kaushalendra Kumar, appears to be struggling in the face of the popularity of his rival, the Communist Party of India-Marxist-Leninist (CPI-ML) candidate, Sandeep Saurav. 

Amarnath Tewary reports.

In Nitish fortress Nalanda, three-time JD(U) MP is up against CPI(ML) candidate

Nalanda, Bihar, home district of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, faces a tough electoral battle in the upcoming Lok Sabha election.

The Congress’ decision not to participate in any Lok Sabha exit poll debates on television channels has sparked controversy. The party has said it does not want to indulge in speculation and slugfest for TRP, while top BJP leaders claim that the Congress has conceded the Lok Sabha elections. Read the report here.

Several politicians were among the early voters today. BJP chief J.P. Nadda and his wife voted at a polling booth in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh. U.P. CM Yogi Adityanath voted in Gorakhnath, Gorakhpur. 

Afzal Ansari, the SP’s candidate from Ghazipur, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, the BJP’s candidate from Amritsar, Anupriya Patel, Union Minister and NDA candidate (Apna Dal Sonelal) from Mirzapur, voted earlier today.

The Election Commission of India has granted permission to about 94,975 applications for holding rallies and meetings for the election campaign in West Bengal. It received about 1,19,276 applications during the seven phase campaign and it granted permission to 94,975 rallies, public meetings and other forms of campaign. 

Shiv Sahay Singh reports.

Permission for about 95,000 political rallies in West Bengal by EC, highest in the country

Sources in the ECI said that the number of applications and permission granted is highest in the country.

The Association for Democratic Reforms and The National Election Watch analysed the self-sworn affidavits of all 904 contenting candidates in the seventh phase of the Lok Sabha polls, and found that 199 (or 22%) of them have declared criminal cases against themselves, 151 of which have serious criminal cases against them. Read the report here.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is eyeing a third consecutive win from the Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency, which is going to polls today. Ajay Rai, the Opposition INDIA bloc nominee, is his main challenger.

Interestingly, he has not addressed any poll rally in the constituency. However,U.P. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Union Ministers and other Ministers in the U.P. government have campaigned extensively in Varanasi and sought votes for him. ​​Read the report here.​​

After weeks of intense campaigning, all the 13 parliamentary seats in Punjab, the lone seat in Chandigarh, and four Lok Sabha constituencies in Himachal Pradesh will vote in a single phase today. Elaborate security arrangements have been put in place for the smooth conduct of the elections in these States and the UT. 

Vikas Vasudeva reports.

Punjab, Himachal, Chandigarh to vote in last phase of Lok Sabha elections

Intense campaigning in Punjab, Chandigarh, and Himachal Pradesh for Lok Sabha elections with high-stakes battles and elaborate security arrangements.

Voters from Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Chandigarh will be voting today. Here is the list of constituencies that go to poll today.